Updated as of October 8, 2024.
Check out these contests – some exclusively available for individuals who are blind or who have low vision and others. Pay attention to the deadlines and set some calendar alerts; you don’t want to miss out!
Ongoing Blindness/Low Vision Contest
Freedom Scientific K-12 Student of the Month Program
The Freedom Scientific K-12 Student of the Month Program offers K-12 students the opportunity to highlight the benefits they enjoy using Freedom Scientific accessible assistive technology tools.
Ongoing contest; one student is chosen each month.
Prizes include a $300 Amazon gift card, a five-year license of JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion software, and a free, refurbished computer along with a free Home Annual license of JAWS or ZoomText.
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library Freedom Scientific K-12 Student of the Month Program entry.
Time-specific with Deadlines Blindness/Low Vision Contests
Typically, March 1 deadline: Braille Challenge
Year after year, the Braille Challenge provides braille readers an opportunity to hone their braille and tactile graphics reading skills. For many years, the Maryland School for the Blind has hosted a regional Braille Challenge contest.
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library Braille Challenge entry.
Typically, a March 29 deadline: APH InSights Art Contest
“Since 1992, the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has hosted an art contest for artists who happen to be blind. Both amateur and professional artists from around the world enter their artwork in a juried art competition. Original works of 2-dimensional art, sculpture, or craft, are considered each year.” APH InSights Art web page.
Only ONE entry per person per year of “original works of 2-dimensional art, sculpture, or craft, are considered.”
Prizes are awarded.
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library APH InSights Art Contest entry.
Typically, runs December through Janaury: Braille Readers Are Leaders
This contest is now closed, but, each year, it provides an opportunity to win prizes for reading braille. Open to blind/low vision students and adults as well as to teachers of blind students, participants log the number of minutes they read braille between December and January.
In addition to prizes for different levels of reading minutes, participants may compete for cash prizes in their category (grade/experience level).
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library Braille Readers Are Leaders entry.
Typically, February deadline: BADIE Contest
The Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) contest offers students ages 7-21 the opportunity to win gift cards and an iPad mini. The contest involves watching an audio-described show and writing an essay review.
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library BADIE Contest entry.
Other Contests for Maryland Students
Varying deadlines; District-level deadlines in the fall: Maryland History Day
Throughout Maryland, students will compete in District Contests in February and March, focusing on the 2025 Maryland History Day Contest theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” The contest seeks to support middle and high school students “spark[] critical thinking, and helps develop skills in research and analysis, writing, and public speaking.” Categories include: Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, and Website.
District deadlines in the fall.
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library Maryland History Day entry.
Varying deadlines: American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Competition
On a national level, the American Legion awards more than $200,000 in scholarships to winners of its Oratorical Scholarship Competition. Maryland conducts the American Legion, Department of Maryland Oratorical Scholarship Competition “To develop knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the ability to think and speak clearly and critically, and the acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.”
Find out more in our Bridges Resource Library American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Competition entry.
Other Contests
There are many, many contests offered for high school students each year. Contact your guidance office and your teachers to find out about more contest opportunities.
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.